One child abduction and one attempted abduction have been made in Coventry in the past month.

Police, who have only just had the incidents reported to them, are warning children to be alert to danger.

The first incident was on Friday, August 30, when a 13-year-old girl was forced into a car and driven around the city before being released. In the second, a 12-year-old girl struggled free after being grabbed by a car driver. Police, who are linking the two attacks are appealing to the public for help.

The 13-year-old girl was stopped in Swan Lane, Stoke, by a motorist who asked her for a cigarette. The driver then dragged her into his dark-coloured car and drove her around Coventry before releasing her unharmed back near Swan Lane.

He is described as black and was wearing a blue-and-white jumper.

The second happened at 8.30pm on Saturday, September 14, in William McKee Close, Ernesford Grange.

The girl was walking in the close when the driver of a dark-coloured car tried to grab her and pull her into the vehicle, but she managed to get free.

The driver is described as black, aged 38, chubby, with a bald head.

Sgt Phillip Maund, from the Willenhall sector at Chace Avenue police station, said: ?We are linking the incidents as far as the similar description of the man and the car but we are keeping an open mind.

?We don?t want to be alarmist but we would advise parents to know where their children are going and for children to take appropriate care.?

Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt Maund at Chace Avenue on 024 7653 9826.